In a move that has sent shockwaves through the sporting world, Swedish tennis legend Björn Borg has decided to part with some of his most prized possessions: the trophies from his five consecutive Wimbledon victories.
The collection, a tangible record of his utter dominance on the grass courts of SW19 in the late 1970s, will be going under the hammer at a high-profile auction in London this November. The decision has been met with a mix of surprise and sadness by fans who view these items as sacred artefacts of the sport's history.
A Legendary Collection Up For Grabs
The lot is a tennis enthusiast's dream and includes the winner's trophies from his 1976 and 1977 to 1980 championship wins. But the trophies are just the centrepiece. The sale also features an array of personal memorabilia that chronicles his career, including two of his iconic Fila tennis shirts, a signed warm-up jacket, and the renowned Donnay tennis racket he wielded to secure his final Wimbledon title.
Perhaps most poignant is the inclusion of the runner-up plate from his legendary 1981 final against John McEnroe—a brutal five-set battle that marked the end of his Wimbledon reign.
Borg's Personal Statement
Addressing the surprise surrounding his decision, the 71-year-old champion released a statement assuring the public it was not made lightly. "I have for a long time been thinking about selling my Wimbledon trophies," Borg explained, "I am not getting any younger and I feel the time has come to share these treasures with the world."
He expressed his hope that the new owner would derive as much joy from owning them as he did from winning them, framing the sale as a way for these items to be appreciated by future generations.
The Tennis World Reacts
The announcement has been met with palpable disappointment from key figures within the sport. Ivar Wickman, the president of the Swedish Tennis Federation, did not hide his feelings, calling the news "incredibly sad." He articulated a sentiment shared by many, viewing the trophies as "national treasures" that belong not just to Borg, but to the entire history of Swedish sport.
This sale ensures these legendary items will transition from private keepsakes to publicly celebrated symbols of one of the greatest athletic achievements in history, even if their journey continues outside of Sweden.
